zone of avoidance

A band around the sky in which very few extragalactic objects can be seen
at visible wavelengths because of the heavy absorption of light by dust
in the plane of the Milky Way. The zone of avoidance is by no means regular,
varying width from about 38° in the direction of the center of our Galaxy
(in Sagittarius) to about 12°. Additionally, there are a number of galactic
windows in the zone that are relatively free of obscuring material and
therefore offer a clear view of the outside universe.